GWguy
*
So, I'm coming up on m 65th bday, time to sign up for Medicare. Just went thru something with SS, may or may not apply to you.
I tried to create an SS login on their website so I could apply for Medicare. Got my logon, but when I tried to create my Medicare account, it barfed, said the info on file was different than I input. Called SS Help Desk assuming a forever wait time. Was very very surprised at a NO WAIT, got an operator right away and got my issues resolved in minutes. Impressed.
Anyway, the problem was that I had ALREADY had a Medicare account for parts a & b that I did not create, that was created for me automagically. It was created because I applied for and have been receiving RETIREMENT benefits for a few years. I didn't see this anywhere in any of their docs, but if you are receiving SS retirement benefits, a Medicare account is created and you should receive a large envelope in the mail 3 months before the Medicare activation date (1st day of your birth month). I never got the envelope which contains my new card, so wasn't aware.
So, if you are getting SS retirement benefits, look for an envelope 3 months prior to your Medicare start date. If you're not getting payments, you have to manually sign up for Medicare.
If you need to contact Social Security, it's 800-772-1213. After their phone intro, they ask how they can help you. Say "Help Desk" and it puts you right thru to a person, and the 2 times I called I got right thru and had the most pleasant people on the other end. Color me surprised.....
I tried to create an SS login on their website so I could apply for Medicare. Got my logon, but when I tried to create my Medicare account, it barfed, said the info on file was different than I input. Called SS Help Desk assuming a forever wait time. Was very very surprised at a NO WAIT, got an operator right away and got my issues resolved in minutes. Impressed.
Anyway, the problem was that I had ALREADY had a Medicare account for parts a & b that I did not create, that was created for me automagically. It was created because I applied for and have been receiving RETIREMENT benefits for a few years. I didn't see this anywhere in any of their docs, but if you are receiving SS retirement benefits, a Medicare account is created and you should receive a large envelope in the mail 3 months before the Medicare activation date (1st day of your birth month). I never got the envelope which contains my new card, so wasn't aware.
So, if you are getting SS retirement benefits, look for an envelope 3 months prior to your Medicare start date. If you're not getting payments, you have to manually sign up for Medicare.
If you need to contact Social Security, it's 800-772-1213. After their phone intro, they ask how they can help you. Say "Help Desk" and it puts you right thru to a person, and the 2 times I called I got right thru and had the most pleasant people on the other end. Color me surprised.....
